About my hair.......

[MagnoliaTrees]

I've made the decision to go back to my natural color(s): 95% gray, 2 % black, 2% brown, 1% auburn all mixed. I have colored my hair for the past couple of years but just recently I've decided to do away with the every 8 week appts. and just let things go natural. I really did some pretty drastic color changes over the last couple of years and it looked good but I just want the simplicity of natural again.

Now my question is this, the roots are about 3/4 " greyish now and by my appt on the 26th will be 1" to 1 & 1/2" greyish. Since I will no longer be coloring will I just eventually have this greyish "LINE" all around my head from scalp up till the last colored parts. Is there a way to "blend " it all in while it fades so it won't look like I have lines of non color & color all around my head.

When I go on the 26th I will ask for a soft, loose, wavy perm just to help give it "something" while the color is working it's way out.

Should I just have it "Stripped" of color or let it work it's way out naturally? I don't think there will be much trimming in the future. I like it a little longer than it is right now.

[eHelen]

HNY, Magnolia!

Personally, I'd really ask this question of my DH and my dearest female friends! They know you and know whether the color you have been having really fits your personality better than the grey mixture you are expecting when you give up the coloring treatment.

I have quite a mixture of colors, too, and have not colored it in years. Only because the greys seem to be getting wiry am I considering going to the bottle stuff. Also, I think it is very important to keep ones hair trimmed monthly or every 6 weeks or so! To me, MHO, is that long grey hair adds decades to ones expression and eyes! Again, I recall the gorgeous Emmy Lou Harris having gone grey at a very young age. It amazed me how she aged during that time and I'm quite sure that she finally colored it and looked rejuvenated and much happier. One other well known person, who had a similar experience is Katleen Sullivan of TV. When she began to color her hair she looked so much happier with her own appearance. Again, these are just how I feel about it. I do know many people who have gorgeous grey hair that becomes their complexion and they look marvelous! Again, I would ask my DH and dearest friends! Good luck choosing the best option for yourself after getting input from your group of experts aka as your DH and friends!

[Licia]

After frosting, then coloring my hair for years, I had to choose between color and perm. For a while I chose perm, then when I started my water class, the perm wasn't practical either, so I don't color, or perm. My hair is much lighter around my face and almost my natural color in the back, but I really like not having to use so much product on it or protect it so much. After my water class I can shampoo my hair if it is wet, or not if it isn't. I shampoo most every day anyway.

[charley]

Again, I recall the gorgeous Emmy Lou Harris having gone grey at a very young age. It amazed me how she aged during that time and I'm quite sure that she finally colored it and looked rejuvenated and much happier.

Wow, are you talking about the same Emmy Lou Harris (http://www.emmylou.net/mgallery.html)? She embraced her grey and has always looked great with it! When did you see her start coloring her hair?

[eHelen]

charley, perhaps, I have made an error; however, I seem to recall seeing her with color. If wrong I humbly apologize to her and this board.

Here's a thread of interest perhaps to Magnolia.
http://community.southernliving.com/showthread.php?t=4359&page=2&highlight=LINDA+RONSTADT

[Jamieamcbride]

At 20 I had to start coloring my hair because of premature graying. I have, at times, started to let it go and looked in the mirror and realized how the gray make me look tired. I have this little spot in front, right at the beginning of my part, that is turning silver. I think I am going to let it go and see what happens with just a streak of silver against the dark brown that is my color now!

[happytobehere]

I quit coloring my hair last year and it's almost totally gray/silver except for some brown on the back. I started using Shimmer Lights Shampoo that I buy at a beauty supply store. It keeps gray hair from turning yellow and really makes you hair shine. Just thought I'd throw this into the conversation. ;)

[Pool Lady]

I have colored my hair for years because I started getting a few gray hairs. I hate it when my roots start growing out and sometimes it is hard to get an appointment with my hair dresser. As it is right now, it will be about two more weeks before I get my hair done again and I hate the way it looks with the roots showing. I know that coloring my hair light brown (with blonde highlights in the summer) makes me look at least 10 years younger. No one ever thinks I'm as old as I am - in fact, they are shocked when I tell them. But, it is a personal choice. I know ladies with black hair who have grayed and it looks fabulous. I think we blondes have a harder time when we go gray. It is definitely expensive and a pain to keep it colored. Let us know what you decide.